We’ve just begun a series at my church simply entitled “Forward.” It’s a unique series in the sense that I’m speaking on the four words that compose the word “forward.” Well okay, three words and one letter actually!
Week 1–For
Week 2-Or
Week 3-War
Week 4-D
I’m excited about the series because I truly believe Christ is calling the church forward. He’s calling us forward.
We started the series last week with “For” and I want to remind you of a few thoughts from the message as well as share a couple more with you.
1). You move forward by walking in forgiveness toward others.
One thing that will always hinder forward progress is bitterness and unforgiveness. Forgiveness is a fundamental building block to Christianity but many believers don’t understand just how toxic unresolved bitterness truly is. Jesus himself put this truth in a sobering context when He said that if we weren’t willing to forgive others, His Father would not forgive us! (Matthew 6:15) If unforgiveness blocks us that much in our relationship with God, then think about how much it blocks our forward progress in life! Remember:
Bitterness blocks and forgiveness frees. (Let the hurt go! It’s not worth it!)
Jesus simply will not allow us to move forward in life until we address “first things first.” And forgiving others is one of the most important firsts when it comes to moving forward.
2). You move forward by forgetting the past.
Paul said it best in Philippians 3:12-13. In light of his desire to live forward, he said, “One thing I do, forgetting what is behind.” Paul boils it all down to one thing concerning the past-forget about it! It’s a lot easier said than done, of course. However, to forget simply means to choose to not allow the past to control you in your present. Thousands of books, blogs, and sermons have been written on the subject, but let me tell you what forgetting means to me:
“Forgetting” means allowing God’s presence to control my present.
I simply believe that His grace for today empowers me to grow beyond the hurt of my yesterday! He is, indeed, an ever present help.
3). You move forward by finding freedom from the sin that so easily entangles you.
In another popular passage, Paul goes on to say in Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.” Paul compares our Christian life to a race in which we are running forward and says, “in light of the faithful ones who have gone before us and the prize that lies ahead of us, throw off the sin that so easily entangles.” He says, we can’t run forward with perseverance without laying down the things that hinder our progress. If you find yourself tripping up because of sin that so easily entangles, here’s what to do:
- Identify it and repent. Call it what it is and make a decision to completely turn from it!
- Get intimate with God. If intimacy with the world is adultery toward God, then increased intimacy with God safeguards temptation to cheat on Him with the world! Our desires, our decisions, and ultimately our discipline are shaped by dwelling daily with Him daily. Intimacy with God is key in overcoming sin. Key!
- Instill and implement truth in your life. The Word Of God is our weapon against the enticements of the world. It ushers truth into the inmost place, keeps our consciences sensitive, and exposes the lies of the enemy. Practice memorizing one scripture a week and set your heart, and feet, to being a doer of God’s Word.
4). You move forward by embracing a future focus.
Paul says he “strains toward what is ahead”. Paul was of course speaking with eternity in mind, but a future focus involves keeping our eyes full of vision in the here and now. The power of vision in your life will help you endure any valley, climb any mountain, and achieve any goal. Remember, people perish for a lack of vision. (Proverbs 29:18) We give up and quit when we lose our sense of purpose and passion in life. But a sense of vision will compel you to keep moving forward.
Vision=Victory
5). You move forward through renewed faith in God and faith in the God inside of you!
Ahhh, the very nature of faith burning in our hearts will help us to stand our ground and stay the course. Faith will cause us to rise up in the authority we have in Christ and insist that things move! Mountains move. Strongholds come down. We become unstuck. And a shifting happens in our own atmosphere all because of faith. But where there is fear and unbelief, we freeze instead of moving forward. If you are trying to make progress in life, ask God to increase your faith. Pray the prayer of a desperate dad in Mark 9:23:“I do believe. Help me overcome my unbelief!”
Faith=Forward.
Fear=Freeze!
6). You move forward through consistent faithfulness each day.
This is KEY. Forward progress happens with one single act of faithfulness at a time. Getting physically healthy means taking it one bite at a time. Family progress means one conversation with your kid at a time or one date night with your spouse at a time. Finances? That means, sowing, saving, and stewarding one dollar at at time. Remaining free from sin takes? Taking captive one thought at a time. Here is the bottom line:
Remaining faithful in the moment leads to forward momentum!
The prayer I have for myself in this season is that I will move forward….
The prayer I have for my church is that we will move forward.…
The prayer I have for you is that you will move forward….
Let’s advance together!
Mike